Deanna L. Koestel Named “Lawyer of the Year” for Construction Law in the 2026 Best Lawyers® List for the Hackensack Region
Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. is proud to announce that Deanna L. Koestel has been named “Lawyer of the Year” for Construction Law in the Hackensack region in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers® list. According to Best Lawyers®, this distinction is awarded annually to only one lawyer per practice area in each region, based on peer feedback.
About Deanna L. Koestel
Deanna L. Koestel chairs Pashman Stein’s Construction Law practice, is a partner in the Commercial Litigation practice, and serves on the firm’s Executive Committee. For more than 20 years, she has guided clients in the construction and real estate industries through high-stakes disputes and complex negotiations. Her work spans all phases of the construction process, from drafting contracts to resolving litigation on behalf of property and business owners, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and manufacturers. Her litigation practice covers breach of contract, warranty actions, building supply defects, and professional liability disputes. Known for combining deep legal knowledge with practice business insight, Koestel helps clients mitigate risks before disputes arise, often during contract drafting and pre-litigation negotiations.
In addition to her construction law work, Koestel represents businesses in complex commercial disputes, including partnership and shareholder matters, business torts, non-competition and non-solicitation actions, breach of contract actions, fraud and consumer fraud actions, and breach of fiduciary duty claims. She frequently serves as outside general counsel, advising on business planning risk management, and efficient dispute resolution. Her familiarity with New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania courts enables her to act as local counsel for out-of-state firms and their clients.
Koestel is a leader within the legal community and a strong advocate for women in the profession. She serves as North American Chair for the Women of Interlaw Network and as Global Chair of Interlaw’s Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Affinity Group. Within Pashman Stein, she is a member of the Women’s Leadership Committee and co-chairs the firm’s Wellness & Sustainability Initiative.
Beyond her legal accomplishments, Koestel is active in several nonprofit organizations. She is a board member of Girls on the Run NYC, where she previously served as Board President, and was a founding board member of Girls on the Run of Central New Jersey. Koestel is also a member of the Rotary Club of New Paltz.
The Best Lawyers in America list is issued by BL Rankings, LLC. A description of the selection methodology can be found at https://www.bestlawyers.com/About/MethodologyBasic.aspx
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.